Baguio, CBNHS open title defense

REIGNING champions Baguio Central Elementary School (BCES) and Crossing Bayabas National High School (CBNHS) open their title-retention bids in their respective divisions as the 8th Davao City Baseball Cup unfurls at 8 a.m. today at the University of Mindanao (UM) Matina grounds.

The BCES Predators, which won the elementary title last year, clash against the winner between Talomo Central Elementary School and Magsaysay Elementary School of Toril that are pitted in the 9 a.m. curtain raiser at Diamond B.

Coached by Isidro Gaitano, BCES is bannered by female batters Justine Marie Adovo and Genelyn Arangote along with male mainstays Elvin Arcayena, Geo Bernardino, John Jericho Casinillo, Fonce Andrey Catalista, Neil Gandulfos, James Vincent Nisnisan, Mario Nisnisan, Jr., Noli Onse, Casper Jay Paladon, Danny Siao, Christian Jay Tapayan, Rhyan Talaboc and Arnel Anthony John Villanueva.

Newcomers Antonio Pichon Elementary School of Tibungco and Don Francisco Dizon Elementary School of collide against each other at 10:30 a.m. while Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School (PNJKIS) battles Mulig Elementary School of Toril at12 noon. The Catalunan Grande Elementary School, for its part, plays against Bayabas Elementary School at 1:30 p.m.

In the High School division, CBNHS tests the mettle of PNJKIS at 2 p.m. over Diamond A.

The Willie Bayocboc-mentored CBNHS Crossers Sluggers parade the services of Richard Abastillas, Christian Quilvir Jun Bacalso, Arnel Betonio Jr., Lowie John Chan, Dee Jay Escarlan, John Rey Hawom, Wilfredo Mabolis Jr., Fermin Madera, Al Obenza, Donald Pasacan and twin brothers King Ely and King Neil Torres.

Other games pit Baguio National School of Arts and Trade against Baguio High School of Agriculture at 9 a.m., F. Bustamante National High School of Tibungco against new entry Pablo Lorenzo National High School of Mandug at 10:45 a.m. and Holy Cross College of Calinan at 12:30 p.m.

Winners will advance to the semi-finals set tomorrow morning while championship games are set in the afternoon.

The annual baseball meet is jointly organized by the Davao City Baseball Association, Datu Uchida Development Foundation and Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Inc. (PNJKI).

Major sponsor is Tokyo Kichijoji with PNJKI, Philippines-Yakult Probiotics Inc., Shogakuji Temple in Fuchu City, Tokyo, Kazuma Sports, Funasho Shoji Company, Tokyo and Del Monte Company also backing up the event.

Coach Hidetoshi Suzuki, Masaaki Uchida, Katsuhiko Tamura, Tomoya Katayama, Atsushi Matsuzaki, Nitten Company, Tokyo, Consul Koichi Ibara, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Department of Education, Lt. Col. Villafuerte Sr. Elementary School, Wangan Elementary School, Michael Seville and family, Letecia Manito, Frezcon and Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku are also supporting the tournament.

Cash prizes are up for grabs with the champion teams each going home with P8,000 cash, trophy, plaque, medal for each player and baseball equipment while the next two placers will claim P4,000 and P2,000 with plaques and baseball equipment.

The MVPs will also receive P1,000 and a medal apiece.